There has been a substantial increase in membership and coverage during the
past 6 months, in spite of an adverse socio-political situation in
Chickballapur Taluk. There are now 13,318 Normal Member families in 486
functioning CSUs in the 4 Extension Areas. When compared to figures from the
previous Progress Report, this represents a rise of 1,305 families and 22
villages. 21% of the membership continue to be in the names of women, and
population coverage has risen by 3 points to 38%. The present membership
represents a total of 23,570 adults and 28,362 minors.

The increases have mainly been from the Scheduled castes and tribes who now
constitute 59% of the membership. Close to half the SC/ST population and those
belonging to the middle castes in the 4 Taluks are now in the Coolie
Sangha.

There are now 12,745 active Member families in 454 functioning CSUs in the
4 Extension Taluks. When compared with figures in the last Progress Report,
there is a drop of 573 families and 32 village CSUs in the past 6 months.
This, in spite of our best efforts to prevent cancellation and woo back the
dropped CSUs.

Our efforts to stabilise the membership have been largely successful
in the older villages of the erstwhile ICCO Area (except at Chickballapur)
where membership is determined through the declaration of family income and
paying of Sangha Tax. Our position of 1 year back that a mature membership in
the erstwhile ICCO Area will stabilise in spite of initial setbacks has been
partially vindicated. When compared to 2,419 families who declared their 1995
income, 2,422 have declared their 1996 income. This figure is bound to rise in
the coming months, especially at Chickballapur Taluk, with more than 100
Member families and 6 CSUs permanently returning.

The newer CSUs of Chickballapur as well as Julapalya seem to be going
through a lot of throes (a sifting of those who genuinely want to build
independent people’s organisation from those who are not quite so sure) and as
a result there is considerable movement in membership.

There has, however, been no substantial change in the composition of the
current Membership. But, as is to be expected, there is a fall in the ethnic
coverage across all 3 sections of SC/ST, middle and forward castes.